Arthur J. Roberts, 94, of Methuen, died peacefully Monday morning at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
Arthur, son of the late Albert and Florida (Doiron) Roberts, was born in Methuen April 28, 1918 and lived here all of his life. His wife, Mary A. (Hamel) Roberts, died in 1989.
Arthur was proud to have founded one of the first businesses in the square in Methuen. Methuen Paint and Hardware Co. was opened Wednesday, June 26, 1946 and was located at 124 Railroad Street in Methuen, across from the Methuen Central Fire Station. During the war, Arthur was foreman in charge of a group of painters at the Boston Navy Yard. He also owned rental property throughout the area.
Mr. Roberts was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Methuen, the Methuen Knights of Columbus, the Greater Lawrence Richelieu Club and the Methuen Board of Trade. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading and traveled all over the world. He especially enjoyed Western Europe, England and the architecture there.
He will be deeply missed by his children; John J. Roberts and his wife Carol of Dracut, Barbara A. Roberts of San Diego, CA, Russell A. Roberts of Goffstown, NH and Pauline M. Graham of Methuen; nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his grandson, Scott Brian Graham who died in 1996.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Arthur’s life by gathering for his Funeral Service in the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Methuen. Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday, December 13 from 4-8 PM. Those who wish to remember Arthur by making a memorial contribution in his memory are kindly asked to consider the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions or to share a condolence with the Roberts family, please visit us online at www.pollardfuneralhome.com or visit Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home on Facebook. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Methuen.